Brutalism v Post-modernism
- Thread starter wok
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Motorik
Kick Henry Jackassowski
Psychitecture-wise, Brutalism is pretty emotionally overpowering. Which can be good, if you want to immerse yourself in a Joy Division kinda mood. Incidentally, I think Brutalism works much better in Brazil than say, the UK or Eastern Europe. Brazilian Brutalism doesn't seem so soul-crushing. Is it just because it looks better in the sunshine or surrounded by palm trees? It might just be as simple as that.
Postmodernism is often whimsical, silly, tacky, or just fucking stupid-looking, but it also offers more possibility of joy (as opposed to Joy Division).
Postmodernism is often whimsical, silly, tacky, or just fucking stupid-looking, but it also offers more possibility of joy (as opposed to Joy Division).
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Monson
Sonic Automatist
Regarding Brutalism I'm on the fence. A part of me feels this all about architects wanting to make a statement that only architects get, another part of me is like "Ok, I can handle this!", like I could handle spending the rest of my life all alone in an abandoned moon base or space cruiser adrift in the outer rim, and then there's the part that thinks it's utterly depressing.
Knox in Box
Rustbelt refugee.
Post Modernism
Peen Simmons
Let’s Get Obtuse!
I dig brutalist architecture. Not only can you imagine yourself in a dour late 20th century sci-fi dystopia, but it also feels like you’re being confronted with some alien megalith. And apart from the moodiness, I find the crispness of the lines and geometric often symmetrical/repeating visual patterns reassuring/satisfying. There’s a lot of film noir high-contrast light and shade elements in a lot of brutalist work.
I’m not really here for wacky or weird for the sake of weird pomo nonsense unless it’s excellent. (So a case by case basis.) And a lot of toned down pomo architecture just looks like a shopping mall making love to a Cheesecake Factory and that is not my jam.
I’m not really here for wacky or weird for the sake of weird pomo nonsense unless it’s excellent. (So a case by case basis.) And a lot of toned down pomo architecture just looks like a shopping mall making love to a Cheesecake Factory and that is not my jam.
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Flamencology
You don't deserve koa.
I agree with this 100%.
I mostly hate whimsy in art; both in principe, and the word itself, for some reason. It’s a death rattle.
There are tons of building that I love. But, at their best, I think I’d go with postmodernism. Functionality is a big factor here: while I love plenty of brutalist buildings, there aren’t many that I’d like to live or work in or spend significant time in it.
The National Theatre in London comes immediately to mind for me. It’s a stunning and gorgeous building. But once I’m inside, it feels damn right inhospitable. It’s cold and uninviting, much like a factor. You can’t engage when you’re watching, and you sure as hell don’t feel like having a great conversation in the lobby. I’ve seen dozens of theatres in London, but it’s easily the one I like least. Many are unremarkable, and many are physically uncomfortable. But the NT? Fucking hate the place.
LeftyTom
I am not just another pretty face.
Monson
Sonic Automatist
Psychitecture-wise, Brutalism is pretty emotionally overpowering. Which can be good, if you want to immerse yourself in a Joy Division kinda mood. Incidentally, I think Brutalism works much better in Brazil than say, the UK or Eastern Europe. Brazilian Brutalism doesn't seem so soul-crushing. Is it just because it looks better in the sunshine or surrounded by palm trees? It might just be as simple as that.
Postmodernism is often whimsical, silly, tacky, or just fucking stupid-looking, but it also offers more possibility of joy (as opposed to Joy Division).
It's interesting that you bring up vegetation. I guess I associate Brutalism with 1970s post-apocalyptic comics, like Simon du Fleuve for instance.
Often stories like that would take place in and around these derelict and almost completely overgrown concrete megastructures, like massive bunkers and power plants inhabited by different groups of survivors with radiation burns and buboes, and questionable agendas. As a kid I found it both scary and fascinating to look at these modern-looking buildings, the kind that I saw being constructed everywhere, but looking old and beat up and covered in greenery.
